Since 2001, 1419 U.S. troops have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan, and since 2003, 4439 U.S. troops have died while serving in Iraq.
The IGTNT (I Got The News Today) series is a reminder that nearly every day, somebody gets the heartbreaking news that a friend, former classmate, or beloved family member will not be coming home from war.
Tonight we remember two soldiers who died at war, far from home:
Spc. Andrew P. Wade, 22, of Antioch, Illinois
Cpl. Loren M. Buffalo, 20, of Mountain Pine, Arkansas
Please take a moment below to remember them,
and all those who have lost their lives in these wars.
Spc. Andrew P. Wade, 22, of Antioch, Illinois
Spc. Wade died March 9 in Kunduz province, Bagram, Afghanistan, after being injured March 7 in a non-combat related incident. Wade was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, New York.
Flags were lowered at Spc. Andrew Wade's childhood home in Antioch, Illinois, where his friends remembered him as a passionate and talented soccer player at Antioch High School. Andrew was a two-year varsity starter and a junior when the team won the regional and division championships. He played sweeper, a crucial position that anchors the defense. A former coach said Andrew was a leader on the field, at practice, and at games.
Spc. Wade's loved ones were stunned by the news of his death in Afghanistan.
"He's not only like a best friend to me, he's like a brother, someone you can't replace in life. And the memories we're all going to remember, we're going to take that with us and always remember what a great person he was," said his friend, Steve.
Andrew Wade joined the U.S. Army in September 2008, about a year after he graduated from high school. He deployed to Afghanistan in spring 2010, and was due home soon from his tour.
"A great kid, a loving son, a brother, a friend," said another former coach. "Our country, this community, his family will mourn this for a long time."
His family asked for media privacy after releasing a statement reading:
"Nothing compares to what our family is experiencing at this time, with the loss of Andrew. He was devoted to his friends, family and above all, his country. Andrew ... was proud of his service in the Army and his commitment to his fellow brothers and sisters in uniform. That service and commitment made us extremely proud of the man Andrew became. He truly is our hero and we will always cherish each moment we have had with him in the last 22 years. Although we appreciate everyone's prayers and support, there have been other Soldiers killed or injured while in combat, and we ask for you to think of them and support their families, along with Andrew, at this time. We thank you for your support during this difficult time....."
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Among those Spc. Wade leaves behind are his father and mother, a brother, and friends from Antioch.
Spc. Andrew Wade is missed. May He Rest In Peace.
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Cpl. Loren M. Buffalo, 20, of Mountain Pine, Arkansas
Cpl. Buffalo was killed in action on March 9 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, after being injured in an IED explosion. Cpl Buffalo was a cavalry scout assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Friends recall 20-year old Loren Buffalo as a music-lover who was also well-mannered and nice. He always wanted to be a soldier, and joined the military in May 2009, following his father and grandfather before him.
Cpl. Buffalo deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st last spring, and was due home from his first tour next month. He was on a foot patrol near Haji Rahmuddin, when he was struck by a roadside bomb.
U.S. Senator Mark Pryor issued the following statement, which reads in part:
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Corporal Loren M. Buffalo from Mountain Pine, Arkansas.
"Corporal Buffalo knew from an early age that he wanted to serve his country, inspired by his father who served in the Arkansas National Guard and a grandfather who flew B-17 bombers in World War II. Those who knew him best spoke of his love of country, community, and music.
"Today I join all Arkansans in lifting up the loved ones of Corporal Buffalo during this difficult time. His sacrifice for his country will never be forgotten."
The Army awarded Cpl. Buffalo the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals.
Among those Cpl. Buffalo leaves behind are his father of Mountain Pine and his mother, who lives in West Bend, Wisconsin.
Cpl. Loren M. Buffalo is missed. May He Rest in Peace.
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Thanks to Timroff for our faithfully lighted candle IGTNT logo;
Other Photos by CalNM and linked Sources
Helping our troops: If you wish to assist our military and their families, consider Operation Helmet, or sponsoring a deployed service member at TroopCarePackage.com. Fisher House provides housing for families of injured troops and veterans who are recovering in hospitals, and Guardian angels for soldierspet assists the animal companions of our deployed military.
When our veterans come back home, they can find support at Welcome Back Veterans. Our recently returned veterans need jobs, and Veterans Green Jobs is now hiring for positions and filling training sessions. VGJ corps retrains veterans as leaders in forest and resource conservation, green construction, and energy efficient upgrades of homes in rural areas. Encourage a Veteran, and see if you can help out.
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About the IGTNT series: I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect, and remember the fallen, and to remind us that each casualty has family and friends who received the terrible news that their loved one has died at war.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories. The US Department of Defense news releases are found at defense gov/releases. Icasualties lists the names of those killed, and shows the number of wounded. Published AP photos of the returning war fatalities are found on the Dover AFB page. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries in the series which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma, Sandy on Signal, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Ms Wings, maggiejean, racheltracks, ccasas, JaxDem, and me, CalNM. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for our fallen brothers and sisters.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.